Each of us is carving a stone, erecting a column, or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves.

 Adrienne Clarkson, 29th Canadian Governor General 

Building Tomorrow’s St. Louis Construction

industry on a Solid Foundation

The St. Louis Construction Forum Education Foundation

What if, by bringing the best and brightest minds in the St. Louis construction industry together, we could test some potential solutions to some of its most vexing problems?

What if, through individual mentoring and program support, we could help encourage bright young minds to enter our industry, where they could help shape the future?

In founding Construction Forum St. Louis in late 2013 the organization’s leadership wrote,“We believe that when the construction community comes together to network, discuss ideas, and share information we are all better for it.” Construction Forum STL was incorporated as a 501c(4) nonprofit civic organization.

From the organization’s beginning, the concept and mission of Construction Forum STL has included:

In April of 2015, the board of directors of the Construction Forum St. Louis, with the support of the Forum’s board of advisors, voted to incorporate The Construction Forum Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable foundation. The bylaws of the organization state that among its purposes are:

• To advance, improve, and promote effective construction methods, practices, communication and to generally advance the St. Louis construction industry.

• To conduct original research in partnership with St. Louis area universities, educational institutions, industry trade organizations and companies on topics relating to construction.

• To create studies and surveys for the purpose of disseminating information related to the St. Louis construction industry.

• Through the educational opportunities and research conducted, to assist and encourage St. Louis area construction companies and professionals to reach the highest levels of effectiveness, efficiency, and achievement.

• To promote STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) Education among area public and private primary and secondary schools with the purpose of encouraging and preparing area youth for a career in the St. Louis construction industry.

The Construction Education Foundation has a separate board of directors and governance from Construction Forum St. Louis. Among the founding directors are:

In learning environments with cradle-to-career supports, a culture of success thrives. We must advocate for and support transformative program and conceptual learning opportunities for millions more students to experience creativity, problem solving, technical skills, adaptability, perseverance and critical thinking.

• Action-Focused Research, modeled after the successful formula developed by the Construction Industry Institute of collaboration between academics and practitioners in the industry. Specifically, the Foundation directors will evaluate potential topics/areas for research. The research will consist of a) Identifying an issue/problem; b) Posing a potential solution; c) Testing that solution in a controlled environment; and d) Evaluating the success of that intervention.

• Construction-Focused K-12 STEM Support will identify opportunities to assist bright young minds in developing their interest in the construction industry, both on an individual basis and through existing STEM entities. The effort will help expose young thinkers to the technological marvel of modern construction. The Foundation’s primary focus in doing this work will underserved populations of children, who might otherwise not have access to the construction industry and to STEM enhancement.

We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.

 Winston Churchill 

Your support is needed to make the work of the Construction Forum Education Foundation possible. There are a number of a ways in which you can be involved. All gifts to the Foundation will be recognized on the Foundation website, in literature, and at Foundation events.

1.) Involvement in Foundation programs– as an advisor, mentor, or program participant.

2.)Individual gifts – of any amount.

3.) Major corporate, foundation, and individual gifts:

• “Footing” Gifts – which lay the platform on which the Foundation is built, start at $1000.

•“Soldier Course” Gifts – named for the rows of individual masonry bricks or blocks that stand together to build a strong structure, start at $2,500.

•“Pillar” Gifts – start at $5,000. They may be earmarked for specific types of projects, for example research, or STEM mentoring for K-12.

•“Cornerstone” Gifts – start at $10,000. Recognition may include name recognition on a published Foundation study or project. Cornerstone Gifts may be given in the form of annual pledges

•“Keystone” Gifts – start at $50,000. They may be earmarked for specific Forum initiatives or to endow particular types of projects. Keystone Gifts may be given in the form of multi-annual pledges.

Whatever your contribution, your help is needed and appreciated! Together we can make St. Louis a better place to live, work, and build.

Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There it begins.

 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 

Contact

If you’d like to know more about the Construction Forum Education Foundation or you are interested in helping or becoming involved, please contact us. We’d love to help you.